Attacker tipped for QPR exit - 'how on Earth is he going to fit in' | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit has named which one player could be sold or loaned out in January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

QPR have made a mixed start to the Championship season under new manager Julien Stéphan.

The London outfit’s form going into the current international break has seen them fall down the second division table.

Four games without a win, which included a three-match losing streak prior to their draw against Sheffield United last weekend, saw them fall into the bottom half.

Stéphan will be keen to uplift the spirits in the squad during the break, but it will also be an important time for the club in terms of planning for the January market.

It could be a busy month of incomings and outgoings at Loftus Road, with QPR hoping to avoid any kind of relegation battle.

Rayan Kolli January QPR exit claim

When asked which one player could be sold or loaned out in January, FLW’s QPR fan pundit Louis Moir named the out of favour Rayan Kolli.

He believes the youngster’s lack of game time so far this season could lead to a permanent departure as soon as this winter, despite the fact he signed a long-term contract not too long ago.

“I think I can certainly see Rayan Kolli leaving in January,” Moir told Football League World.

“When I say leaving, I think it’d be on a permanent deal as well.

“Despite him signing that long-term deal with the expectation that he would really kick on and find himself involved in the first team squad a lot more this season, it’s just not happened.

“He’s hardly even getting on the bench as well, it must be a sign that there’s something going on because he’s clearly fit and available to play.

“The manager is not maybe seeing much from him, or he just doesn’t fit into current plans.”

Moir has highlighted the lack of obvious place to use Kolli in the squad as an issue he needs to overcome in order to maintain his career at QPR, and that a sale in January could be on the cards otherwise.

“I still personally don’t know what his best position is, I don’t know where we’d utilise him the best either,” he added.

“With a player with his potential ability, and I suppose he is quite dynamic in terms of his attacking position, he can play on the left, up front, in that sort of 10 role, but we’ve not seen enough of him.

“I just think that we’ve not seen anywhere near enough of him, and I just think the longer this goes on with him not being involved, it’s not going to do his career any good when ideally he needs to be playing at his age, and showing what he can do.

“I just would not be surprised if he goes in January, maybe in the summer but there’s surely going to be interested clubs willing to take him on loan or on a permanent deal even in January.

“I think if he doesn’t get back on track and find his way back into the squad and getting minutes under his belt, then how on Earth is he going to fit in when he’s got all the players we’ve got in attacking positions?

“I would not be shocked at all if Kolli was to depart the club.

“But if there is a positive with the situation, we would probably get a decent-sized amount of money for him, considering the long-term contract he signed with us.”

QPR are currently 16th in the Championship table following this rough patch of form in recent weeks, with the gap to the play-offs now six points.

Next up for Stéphan’s side is a clash at home against Hull City on 22 November in a 3pm kick-off, as they look to get back to winning ways.

Rayan Kolli’s lack of game time is a concern for his QPR future

Kolli may want to stay and fight for his place at QPR given the new contract he signed earlier this year, as well as the public comments made earlier this week, but his lack of game time should have him questioning his future.

If he continues to be left out in the cold by Stéphan, and not even included in matchday squads, then it’ll be hard to make a case for him staying.

Perhaps a loan move might make the most sense for January, as it will give him a chance to go somewhere to get regular minutes and show QPR what he can do.